mattcook1983 The writing is satisfyingly excellent. Dark humour, much as with peep show, causes that pleasingly awful cringe. Where this differs is that the tension arches its back from the first episode to the last, like a malevolent cat performing a tickle stretch.The level of observational comedy in this is so consistent, I begin to wonder if the writers discovered an unwritten diary of mine labelled "things I half-noticed, but neither properly analysed, nor was diligent enough to write down."As for the compelling darkness, "Back" opens out intrigues to outdo much "serious" TV drama. These are the shadows of comedy - a perspective on real lives that can handle being pushed into caricature.One of the best things I've seen on TV.

samdilks-80039 Just because it's written by Blackwell (writer for Peep Show) and stars Mitchell and Webb, don't expect this to be a Peep Show spin off - lot's of people I've spoken to did, and so got put off when they found out it was a different programme, with different characters, different humour and a different story.I watched the first episode as I was intrigued into this new story by the Peep Show team, but I knew to be open minded and didn't expect to see Mitchell playing a Mark Corrigan and Webb playing a Jeremy Usbourne.Instead what you have is a very intriguing piece of comedy drama. I've only seen up until the 4th episode, and I've heard the 5th is we where get all the pay offs and where it gets much darker.The drama is really clever, to be fair, and unexpectedly dramatic from a sitcom writer and a sitcom duo. There are certainly very funny moments, especially at the end of episode 1 and there were some very funny moments in episode 4, with it being reminiscent of the Mark/Jez conversations of Peep Show, EXCEPT in reverse. Andrew (Webb's character) seems to be an almost perfect foster son, he's a world traveller with a clear mind, good intentions, a cultured palate and wants to live his life the best way. Stephen (Mitchell) whilst still a rule-abiding citizen, over-thinker like Mark Corrigan is more mystified by the world around him, and more of a drinker, and sometimes needs Andrew to dodge some bullets for him (it was the other way round sometimes in Peep Show).To summarise, don't judge this show at all based off Peep Show. It's not the same, and should be judged by it's own storytelling and merits, and by all factors its been very good so far. I'm about to watch the rest of the episodes, and I feel like all this drama and these questions the audience has are about to be answered (or maybe not).Give it a try

paulhfromthedeep Oh dear, the authors of some of the funniest shows of 5-10 years ago are now back, with a show, but not with a funny show.Well, that's a slight lie, there are some funny lines in it, how could there not be, but overall the level of humour and its methodology are enormously middle-aged, like the actors and like the setting.Set in a twee English village (pub) everyone in it is so totally daft, dotty and mad you'd wonder how their world even functions. Blissfully unaware of the things they say and do they are effective passive-aggressive torturers for our protagonist (Mitchell). He himself phones in his performance as a bog stock middle-classed English suppressed neurotic, essentially he simply plays his on screen persona, but with the smarts and clever dialled down to 1/10 (an older duller Mark Corrigan). A large part of the jokes are based on Mitchell determined to sail one course in life but being completely incapable of preventing the world forcing (with little effort) the opposite on him.If a stranger gave you a dog you didn't like and didn't want in a pub would you a/source out the problem to a pet rescue or b/ reluctantly and bitterly let it live with you where it almost immediately wees and defecates everywhere and forces you to pay 1000 quid on vet bills? Well guess which path Mitchell takes. Not hard is it? Next we have Webbs character turn up,he is, peculiarly enough a slick glib lying narcissistic sociopath ( a bit like Peep Show's Jeremy) who we think, so far, is there to destroy Mitchells life and replace him. Its a standard sort of plot device and is naturally assisted by no-one (almost) BUT Mitchell being even vaguely suspicious. Essentially his over-eccentric family and friends will happily allow the slick antagonist his way through a combination of sheer idiocy and perversity.It just needs some sort of kick and a far lower reliance on cringe humour.

Nye Canham Robert Webb has no talent at all. At least Mitchell can do his angry man pseudo-intellectual poncing on panel shows, Webb is an embarrassment, stop gifting him money. Poor writing with Webb doing his every show character, is he acting?Get these spoiled kids to do something for a living.One more line....this show is tripe. How am I supposed to write a review without swearing?